Where does the term "Dutch treat" or "going Dutch" come from?

Question

mariner31, u're awesome. =)

Answer 1

I think term ' Dutch treat' come from Dutch itself. usually people say ' Go dutch' but it doesn't mean Go to Dutch.

Answer 2

I suspect it's just a less than complimentary term.  There a several such:

"Dutch courage" -- liquor used to bolster one's nerve

"Doing the Dutch" -- committing suicide

"Dutch foot" -- an abnormally wide foot

Answer 3

In early America, "Dutch" was often a corruption of Deutsch or German as well as the correct name for those of the Netherlands.

English rivalry with The Netherlands especially during the period of the Anglo-Dutch Wars gave rise to several phrases including Dutch that promote certain negative stereotypes. Examples include Dutch courage, Dutch uncle and Dutch wife. The particular stereotype associated with this usage is the idea of Dutch people as ungenerous and selfish.

The corresponding phrase in Turkish is hesabı Alman usulü ödemek, which can be translated into English as "to pay the bill the German way"

EDIT: Awwww Shucks <blush>